Gujarat CM inaugurates 76th Van Mahotsav, highlights green initiatives

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the 76th statewide Van Mahotsav from Galteshwar in Kheda district on Saturday, reaffirming the state’s commitment to environmental protection and green growth. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has developed an ecosystem for comprehensive environmental protection and conservation while ensuring sustainable development.Highlighting Gujarat’s approach to balancing progress with ecological responsibility, Patel pointed to initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) to combat climate change, renewable and solar rooftop energy projects, water conservation drives like Catch the Rain and Amrit Sarovar, and large-scale tree plantation programmes under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.
As part of this year’s Van Mahotsav, the Chief Minister dedicated the newly developed Galteshwar Van, spread over 7 hectares, as the state’s 24th cultural forest. He also launched the website of the Gujarat State Wetland Authority, initiated village forest development projects, distributed checks to gram panchayats and taluka panchayats for income generated from strip plantations, and handed over checks to beneficiaries of various Forest Department schemes.“If we show care and respect for nature, it will, in turn, sustain and protect us,” Patel said, adding that Indian culture sees divinity in every aspect of nature. He emphasised that Prime Minister Modi has consistently prioritised environmental balance, transforming the traditional Van Mahotsav into a people’s movement, or Jan Mahotsav.
The Chief Minister also noted that initiatives like Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, the Miyawaki plantation method with 207 urban forest belts, and 82 Namo Vat Vans have helped Gujarat expand its green cover by 1,143 sq. km beyond forest areas. Last year, the state ranked second in India by planting 17.50 crore saplings, and this year, under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, a target of 10.35 crore saplings has been set.He stressed that Gujarat, while serving as the engine of India’s industrial and trade growth, must also ensure a healthy environment for future generations, and Van Mahotsavs provide an effective medium to achieve this goal.
Forest and Environment Minister Mulubhai Bera said cultural forests aim to raise awareness about religious and medicinal trees, strengthen climate change mitigation efforts, and instil a love for trees among citizens, particularly students and children. This year’s plans include plantation across 39,295 hectares under social forestry, the creation of 20 urban forests, and the development of 34 Sacred Groves by 2025-26.Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mukesh Patel highlighted that the state has made “Green Growth” the fifth pillar of development. In Kheda district, projects like Van Kavach at Govindpura and plantations under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam at Pipalag village have already been developed. He further announced upcoming initiatives such as roadside and coastal plantations under the Harit Van Path scheme, agroforestry on 35,000 hectares of farmland, plantation drives around Amrit Sarovars, development of 136 forest cottages, and training camps for farmers.
Principal Secretary of Forests and Environment Sanjeev Kumar welcomed attendees and outlined the programme. The inauguration was attended by several dignitaries, including Kheda MP Devusinh Chauhan, Panchmahal MP Rajpalsinh Jadav, Thasra MLA Yogendrasinh Parmar, Nadiad MLA Pankaj Desai, Mahudha MLA Sanjaysinh Mahida, Mahemdavad MLA Arjunsinh Chauhan, Kapadvanj MLA Rajeshbhai Zala, Matar MLA Kalpesh Parmar, leader Nayana Patel, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests A.P. Singh, senior officials, and a large gathering of citizens.

(State Correspondent)